A Jesuit Off-Broadway

One day at Loyola Press I was given a manuscript to read  and asked to give an opinion.  Nothing unusual about that — but I was completely enthralled.  (Now that’s unusual.) I read the whole thing in about three hours.  It was one of the most artfully written, interesting, and entertaining manuscripts I’d ever read.  The author was James Martin, SJ.  The manuscript became the book A Jesuit Off-Broadway. It’s just been published in paperback.

It’s the story of Jim Martin’s six months as the theological consultant to a theater troupe rehearsing The Last Days of Judas Iscariot for its New York debut several years ago.  The playwright, director, and cast had many questions about scripture, Jesus’ life and mission, the historical accuracy of the gospels, and many other topics related to the subject of the play. Martin’s account of how he answered them is delightful–sophisticated catechesis for a band of secular  artists.

The other great pleasure of the book is its insider view of the life of theater people.  You’ve probably heard of some of them.  The play was directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman and Sam Rockwell played Judas.   An excellent book.  Buy it here.